$12.52 sale price when purchased online
$17.99 list price
Target Online store #3991
About this item
Highlights
- "Rachel Hauck sets the gold standard in inspirational fiction.
- About the Author: Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
- 384 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Christian
Description
About the Book
The summer of '77 was supposed to be the best of Summer Wilde's life. But those plans never had a chance when a teenage prank went awry. Now thirty-something, with her music career crumbling, she returns to the place where everything changed, and must face a reckoning with her past and the friends she lost to gain the closure she needs to move forward.Book Synopsis
"Rachel Hauck sets the gold standard in inspirational fiction. The Best Summer of Our Lives is a nostalgic novel of friendship, romance, and the choices that define a life."--Brenda Novak, New York Times and USA Today bestselling authorTwenty years ago, the summer of '77 was supposed to be the best summer of Summer Wilde's life. She and her best friends, Spring, Autumn, and Snow--the Four Seasons--had big plans.
But those plans never had a chance. After a teenage prank gone awry, the Seasons found themselves on a bus to Tumbleweed, "Nowhere," Oklahoma, to spend eight weeks as camp counselors. All four of them arrived with hidden secrets and buried fears, and the events that unfolded in those two months forever altered their friendships, their lives, and their futures.
Now, thirtysomething, Summer is at a crossroads. When her latest girl band leaves her in a motel outside Tulsa, she is forced to face the shadows of her past. Returning to the place where everything changed, she soon learns Tumbleweed is more than a town she never wanted to see again. It's a place for healing, for reconciling the past with the present, and for finally listening to love's voice.
Praise for The Best Summer of Our Lives
"The Best Summer of Our Lives blends faith and hope into a story about the seasons of life, the seasons of friendship, and the seasons of love."--Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Friends
"The Best Summer of our Lives brought me back to my teenage years, with all the angst, the hope, and the friendships, and reminded me that the best times of our lives don't have to be perfect to be loved."--Susan May Warren, USA Today bestselling, award-winning author
"Rachel Hauck fans will savor this sparkling story full of depth and heart!"--Lauren K. Denton, USA Today bestselling author of The Hideaway and A Place to Land
From the Back Cover
Twenty years ago, the summer of '77 was supposed to be the best summer of Summer Wilde's life. She and her best friends, Spring, Autumn, and Snow--the Four Seasons--had big plans.But those plans never had a chance. After a teenage prank gone awry, the Seasons found themselves on a bus to Tumbleweed, "Nowhere," Oklahoma, to spend eight weeks as camp counselors. All four of them arrived with hidden secrets and buried fears, and the events that unfolded in those two months forever altered their friendships, their lives, and their futures.
Now, thirtysomething, Summer is at a crossroads. When her latest girl band leaves her in a motel outside Tulsa, she is forced to face the shadows of her past. Returning to the place where everything changed, she soon learns Tumbleweed is more than a town she never wanted to see again. It's a place for healing, for reconciling the past with the present, and for finally listening to love's voice.
Praise for The Best Summer of Our Lives
"Rachel Hauck sets the gold standard in inspirational fiction. The Best Summer of Our Lives is a nostalgic novel of friendship, romance, and the choices that define a life."--Brenda Novak, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
"The Best Summer of Our Lives blends faith and hope into a story about the seasons of life, the seasons of friendship, and the seasons of love."--Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Friends
"The Best Summer of our Lives brought me back to my teenage years, with all the angst, the hope, and the friendships, and reminded me that the best times of our lives don't have to be perfect to be loved."--Susan May Warren, USA Today bestselling, award-winning author
"Rachel Hauck fans will savor this sparkling story full of depth and heart!"--Lauren K. Denton, USA Today bestselling author of The Hideaway and A Place to Land
About the Author
Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She is a double RITA finalist, and a Christy and Carol Award winner. Her book Once Upon a Prince, first in the Royal Wedding series, was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie. A graduate of Ohio State, Rachel lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat. Learn more at rachelhauck.com.Dimensions (Overall): 8.4 Inches (H) x 5.5 Inches (W) x 1.2 Inches (D)
Weight: .74 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Sub-Genre: Christian
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Number of Pages: 384
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Theme: Romance, General
Format: Paperback
Author: Rachel Hauck
Language: English
Street Date: June 27, 2023
TCIN: 88018922
UPC: 9780764240973
Item Number (DPCI): 247-37-4480
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
If the item details above aren’t accurate or complete, we want to know about it.
Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 1.2 inches length x 5.5 inches width x 8.4 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.74 pounds
We regret that this item cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.
This item cannot be shipped to the following locations: American Samoa (see also separate entry under AS), Guam (see also separate entry under GU), Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico (see also separate entry under PR), United States Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands, U.S., APO/FPO
Return details
This item can be returned to any Target store or Target.com.
This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup.
See the return policy for complete information.
Guests also viewed
$14.99 - $46.99
Select items on sale
4.7 out of 5 stars with 2239 ratings
$8.49
Buy 3 select first aid items get 1 free Band-aid bag
4.7 out of 5 stars with 4205 ratings
Discover more options
$10.48 - $21.76
MSRP $18.99 - $32.99
4.5 out of 5 stars with 2 ratings
$13.59 - $25.99
MSRP $18.00 - $25.99
$18.99 - $24.99
MSRP $18.99 - $29.99
$18.99 - $24.99
MSRP $18.99 - $29.99
$18.99 - $23.49
MSRP $18.99 - $26.99
Related Categories
4.7 out of 5 stars with 10 reviews
100% would recommend
10 recommendations
Remember Your Best Summer?
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Connie Saunders - 2 years ago
This is a book that will resonate with so many people and it's being released at the perfect time of year! The Best Summer of Our Lives is a great beach read that is definitely a trip down memory lane because each chapter has the title of a song that was popular during that era. Songs that were blaring from car radios or playing on the transistor radios as we tried to get that perfect tan! These song titles perfectly illustrate the challenges of the four main characters in this book---four best friends who were expecting the best summer of their lives. How did their plans change so drastically? We're introduced to best friends Summer, Autumn, Spring, and Snow in 1977 and author Rachel Hauck uses a dual timeline to reveal their lives as they are in 1997, twenty years later. Twenty years of secrets, successes, and failures, along with recollections of a friendship that once seemed unbreakable. There are painful memories and gritty realities, but Hauck weaves them together with a powerful faith message to remind us that love endures, redemption is possible, and forgiveness is a must! Grab a box of tissues and prepare to lose yourself in a story that may very well take you back to your own best summer. I recommend The Best Summer of Our Lives to all who enjoy contemporary Christian fiction! I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.
Best Beach Read of 2023
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
CarPad - 2 years ago
The summer of 1977 was supposed to be the best summer of Summer, Autumn, Spring, and Snow’s lives. Friends since elementary school, the “Four Seasons” had big plans for the summer between high school and college, but they end up on probation as camp counselors in Tumbleweed, Oklahoma. But by the end of the summer, the Seasons are shattered apart by a secret and headed in four different directions. Twenty years later, Summer Wilde is back in Tumbleweed, longing for the peace that’s eluded her since her summer at camp. The book switches timelines and points of view seamlessly. The story is engrossing and the secrets are doled out skillfully enough to keep me turning the pages well into the night. This story includes all the elements of a great Rachel Hauck novel: compelling characters, a fascinating story, and spiritual lessons with a special touch by God’s supernatural grace. Rachel’s fans will gobble up (and love) this story. New readers will immediately look up her backlist books. ------------- I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, but that did not induce me to review it, favorably or not.
This is a delightful coming-of-age story
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Cover Lover - 2 years ago
I enjoyed The Best Summer of Our Lives for so many reasons. One, it has a wonderful nostalgic feel that brought back many memories of my own. Two, I adore dual-time stories! Three, I can relate to the group of four, belonging to a bestie-four group myself, and understood the dynamics (in a sense.) And there are too many more to list here. This is a wonderful book to take on a beach vacation, especially if you lived during the 70s through 90s. What a memorable trip through the years. These four girls share their own unique personalities and I appreciate their growth. Perhaps one of the most valuable things in this story is the element of faith. Told from different perspectives, each girl reveals a unique personality, (bossy, sad, smart, and displaced) offering so much flavor to the book. It took me just a bit to grasp who was who (at first) but it was easy to relish in each as the story progressed. This is a delightful coming-of-age story focusing on friendship, romance, and faith. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.
Compelling characters, redemptive story
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Jeanne T - 2 years ago
The Best Summer of Our Lives, by Rachel Hauck, may be my favorite book of the year so far. This coming-of-age story gave me all the feels and brought back memories of that season in my own life. I loved the Four Seasons—Summer, Autumn, Snow (Winter), Spring, and then Baby Season, Greta. The raw, real relationships they had spoke to my heart and had me remembering my own friendships from high school. This book diverges from some of Rachel Hauck’s recent stories but is just as compelling. Set in 1977 in Tumbleweed, Oklahoma, and 1997 in Tallahassee, Florida (and other locales), this story spans a twenty-year period in the lives of four best friends. After committing a college prank gone wrong, Summer, Autumn, Snow, and Spring are sentenced to community service at a summer camp for girls in Tumbleweed, Oklahoma. These four friends’ plans for the best summer of their lives are sidelined after their prank, but they adjust their expectations. All seems to go well for a while, but life unwinds and relationships are tested because each girl comes bearing a secret. The question is, will their secrets bond them together or tear them apart? Rachel Hauck does an amazing job crafting a genuine setting in Oklahoma. The town of Tumbleweed becomes its own character. The secondary characters in both timelines feel authentic. I loved how this story shared a view of friendship at its best . . . and at its worst. The Four Seasons were young women trying to figure out life and how to move forward when everything they thought was true went sideways. This story made me laugh and ugly-cry. I could be friends with each of these characters. I loved the themes of family, how brokenness can be healed, understanding our true identity, and the beauty of friendships that weave throughout the story. I highly recommend this book; it is a great option for an engrossing summer read. If you enjoy genuine, flawed characters, a story of redemption and friendship, you will love this story. This book will leave you thinking and with a sigh of satisfaction when you turn the final page.
Amazong summer read!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Loula - 2 years ago
I am a huge fan of Rachel Hauck. I have read several of her books and she is on my auto read author list. I would call The Best Summer of Our Lives Rachel Hauck at her best. I absolutely loved that this story centered around The Four Seasons friend group Summer, Spring, Autumn and Snow. This one had a nostalgic feel and kind of reminded me of the movie Now and Then. Summer, Spring, Autumn and Snow have been friends since kindergarten. After getting in trouble for a prank they are sent away to camp where they are determined to have the best summer of their lives! The book bounces between two time lines; 1977 where the majority of the story takes place and 20 years later in 1997. I absolutely loved the dual time line and how it was woven together to keep me turning the pages. We get to see the girls at camp and get inside each of their POV’s and friendship in 1977 as well as see where they are now in 1997, what brought them there and why their friendship has been broken apart. Rachel is a master at the dual timelines. I never felt lost and who they were in ‘77 and who they are now completely made sense for each character. The entire story really captivated me. There were several jaw dropping moments I did not expect and although the story focuses on the four girls friendships there were some beautiful romances as well. I especially enjoyed Summer and Levi’s story. I loved the theme of forgiveness and the faith message. It all wove together so well and came together with a beautiful ending. To me this had everything it needed to be the perfect summer read. I enjoyed every minute of the book and it now has a spot on my favorites shelf.
A Must Read
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
- 2 years ago
This is another book I would give 10 stars. I have always been a fan of Rachel’s books but this one is my absolute favorite. This book is about 4 amazing friends, The Four Seasons, and is split between 1977 and 1997. It is a story of friendship, secrets, coming of age, forgiveness, finding yourself, letting go, heartbreak, faith, loss, and love. There are a few twist and turns in the book that will surprise you. I felt an instant connection with the girls, and their struggles had me in tears multiple times. I didn’t want this book to end, blubbered like a baby when it did, then instantly wanted to read it all over again. It is definitely a must read book. I was provided a copy of the book from the author/publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
Beautiful story of restoration and redemption
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Sgodfrey85 - 2 years ago
What an absolutely beautiful story of redemption and reconciliation…between friends and the Lord. This story was written so well and the dual timeline flowed flawlessly. I enjoyed getting to meet each of the Four Seasons and coming to understand their differences and similarities…fears and insecurities too! I’m thankful to have been able to read this book as it really spoke to me. As Rachel writes in her Author’s Note, “We all go through [wilderness seasons]. It’s our choice if we go with Him or without Him.” I definitely recommend this book and know that you will be blessed and encouraged by it!
Great beach read
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Debbie - 2 years ago
I received a ARC from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. I dual time story about Spring, Summer, Autumn and Snow. They became friends in kindergarden. They were known as the four seasons. They planned on being in each other's lives forever. This is a story of coming of age as well as secrets. I loved this amazing book.
A Heartfelt Trip Down Memory Lane
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
BlessednBookish - 2 years ago
The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck is the PERFECT summer read, whether hanging out at the pool or chilling on your sofa. Filled with the warm glow of memories from days gone by and the sweet security of sisterhood, The Best Summer of Our Lives takes you on a nostalgic journey of four girls coming of age, counting the cost of secrets, and discovering how to stand on their own. I was immediately drawn into the drama of the Four Seasons (Summer, Spring, Autumn, and Snow) and loved getting to know their equally quirky personalities. This story isn’t light reading. It deals with many heavy topics, but it gives us a true look at life and the ways that God can weave together one broken thread after another to create a beautiful tapestry of our lives. Readers will see themselves in each of the Seasons and cheer for these women to overcome the obstacles we stumble over as we walk through this broken world. It’s a beautiful story. An inspirational read. A labor of love honoring those who are bound to us in friendship and our greatest Friend of all, who knows all our secrets, and our fears, and is still willing to walk through the ugliest parts of life with us. Please, put this story on top of your TBR, and be sure to get a copy for your best friends, too! I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.
SEASONS OF RELATIONSHIPS
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Connywithay - 2 years ago
“It will take a reckoning with her past and the friends she lost to help her gain the closure she needs to move forward,” the back jacket states in Rachel Hauck’s novel, The Best Summer of Our Lives. ~ What ~ This three-hundred-and-eighty-four-page advance reader copy targets those interested in Christian contemporary romance involving four best friends who take different routes in their adult lives. The topics of alcohol use, premarital relationships, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes an author’s note, acknowledgments, ten discussion questions, the author’s biography, and advertisements. In this tale that jumps back and forth from the late 1970s to twenty years later, four bestie teenagers who call themselves the Four Seasons have graduated from high school and are required to be counselors at Camp Tumbleweed in Oklahoma. There is the bossy, self-absorbed Summer who wants to be a professional singer; the serious, intelligent Spring who is focused on always doing what is right; Autumn, who is hurting from the loss of her love and seems to be drowning in life, and Snow who wishes she were someone else. As the four face adulthood, their emotions, female hormones, and insecurities collide when their secrets are uncovered. ~ Why ~ I enjoy stories that blend the past with the present and how important decisions, both good and bad, shape lives. The relationships between the four girls were honest yet raw at times. The younger but wiser Season had the maturest viewpoints while the others fluctuated when in the thick of making decisions. I appreciated some of the girls were trusting God for guidance. I liked that each chapter title was an iconic song from that generation. ~ Why Not ~ Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ may not like this story. Some may tire of the female drama, boy craziness, and emotional angst, especially during their fights. I did not care for the spiritual visions as they seemed incomplete and confusing, never stating that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Male readers may have no interest in the book. ~ Wish ~ With many characters and their families mentioned, a list of who is who at the beginning would be helpful as I had to keep backtracking to remember each’s background and history. Since I only read Christian fiction, I prefer no slang words. ~ Want ~ If you like a coming-of-age story involving four best girlfriends whose relationship became seasonal when transitioning to adulthood, this is a nice read, especially if you were raised in that era. Thanks to Bethany House and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.